Old sparky : the electric chair and the history of the death penalty
(Book)
Author
Status
Williamson Public Library - Adult Nonfiction
364.6609 GAL
1 available
364.6609 GAL
1 available
Description
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Copies
Location | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|
Williamson Public Library - Adult Nonfiction | 364.6609 GAL | Available |
Subjects
Bisac Subjects
Other Subjects
More Details
Format
Book
Physical Desc
xii, 257 pages, 8 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations ; 23 cm.
Language
English
Notes
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 249-250) and index.
Description
"In early 2013, Robert Gleason became the latest victim of the electric chair, a peculiarly American execution method. Shouting Pog mo thin ("Kiss my ass" in Gaelic) he grinned electricity shot through his system. When the current was switched off his body slumped against the leather restraints, and Gleeson, who had strangled two fellow inmates to ensure his execution was not postponed, was dead. The execution had gone flawlessly-not a guaranteed result with the electric chair, which has gone horrifically wrong on many occasions. Old Sparky covers the history of capital punishment in America and the "current wars" between Edison and Westinghouse which led to the development of the electric chair. It examines how the electric chair became the most popular method of execution in America, before being superseded by lethal injection. Famous executions are explored, alongside quirky last meals and poignant last words. The death penalty remains a hot topic of debate in America, and Old Sparky does not shy away from that controversy. Executions have gone spectacularly wrong, with convicts being set alight, and needing up to five jolts of electricity before dying. There have been terrible miscarriages of justice, and the death penalty has not been applied even-handedly. Historically, African-Americans, the mentally challenged, and poor defendants have been likely to get the chair, an anomaly which led the Supreme Court to briefly suspend the death penalty. Since the resumption of capital punishment in 1976 Texas alone has executed more than 500 prisoners, and death row is full."--,Provided by publisher.
Citations
APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)
Galvin, A. (2015). Old sparky: the electric chair and the history of the death penalty . SkyHorse Publishing.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Galvin, Anthony. 2015. Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty. SkyHorse Publishing.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Galvin, Anthony. Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty SkyHorse Publishing, 2015.
MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)Galvin, Anthony. Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty SkyHorse Publishing, 2015.
Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.
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